2. World War One UNIT 3
1. What were the long term and short term causes of World War One?
The key inquiry questions for this unit are:
• Historical sources will be supplied in the week preceding
the exam. Your essay will include an introduction, two
body paragraphs and a conclusion that analyses,
synthesises and evaluates a selection of the historical
sources provided.
• You will complete an extended response examination
that will require you to write an essay in response to
historical sources under exam conditions.
• The essay question question will reference content
studied this term.
You will
complete an
extended
response exam
(essay)
How will I be assessed?
2. Why was there tension in Europe prior to 1914 and how did these tensions lead to a world war?
3. How did colonial rivalries and alliances lead to a world war?
4. What were the consequences of World War One?
4. World War One
• World War One (WW1) was a major global conflict that lasted four years,
from 1914 to 1918.
• It began on 28 July 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
• The conflict, which became known as the Great War, was fought between
two groups: the Triple Alliance – initially made up of Germany, Austria-
Hungary and Italy (and later joined by the Ottoman Empire [now Turkey]);
and the Triple Entente - made up of Great Britain, France and Russia.
• 20 million died and around 20 million were wounded.
• The First World War ended on 11 November 1918 when the Allies and
Germany signed a ceasefire.
5. What caused WW1?
• As with any major event, there are always a number of causes
• There are a number of long term causes of WW1 – these are reasons
why tensions were growing between the major powers of Europe in
the years before 1914
• Then one significant short term cause – ignited all these underlying
tensions into a Europe-wide, then world wide conflict
6. Why was there tension in Europe by 1914?
Some ideas you may have already heard of:
Nationalism A feeling of pride in and affection for your country, especially when you
believe your country is superior to others
Support for a country to be politically independent
Where have we come
across Nationalism
before?
An example of nationalism is…..
7. Why was there tension in Europe by 1914?
Some ideas you may have already heard of:
Alliance A group of countries, political parties or people who have agreed to work
together because of shared interests or aims
Where have we come
across Alliances
before?
An example of an alliance is…..
8. Nationalism and Alliances
• Draw a quick picture to represent the idea of nationalism – explain it
back to a partner
• Do the same for an alliance
• Could either of these concepts cause a war?
9. Tensions in Europe
Major powers of Europe before
1914
Who was on whose side?
Britain
France
Russia
Germany
Austria-Hungary
Italy
Ottoman Empire – present day
Turkey – a weakening power but
a large Empire - joined the war
in 1914
10. Why was there tension in Europe by 1914?
From the information sheet, highlight anything that suggests tension
between the major powers of Europe.
• In particular, look out for:
- which countries were rivals
- the cause of their rivalries
- things that made war more likely in the years leading up to 1914
• After you read each box, make notes around it or in your notebook to
summarise the tensions you have understood.
11. Key words to look out for:
Before WW1, Germany
was led by a Kaiser (King)
– he was also an Emperor
And a Chancellor (like a
Prime Minister)
Your glossary:
Autocratic Having absolute power
Liberal Open to new ideas; respecting people’s
right to live differently
Volatile Likely to change rapidly, and for the worse
12. Why was there tension in Europe prior to 1914?
Germany
Russia
Austria-Hungary
Britain
France
Draw lines on this diagram to show the relationship between the different countries. Use symbols/pictures if you
like! Can you improve the diagram? Design your own visual way of showing the tensions!
14. Why was there tension in Europe prior to 1914?
1870s 1880 1890s 1900 1910
Mark on the events which built tension in Europe prior to 1914. How did the tension change over time?
15. For discussion:
• Was Austria-Hungary a powerful Empire before 1914?
• Why did Germany feel ‘encircled’ before 1914?
• Why did the small nation of Serbia have so much influence over the great powers of
Europe?
• Why did the British government respond to the public’s call for military spending?
• Were Europe’s alliances making the great powers feel more secure?
• Did the major powers of Europe want war by 1914?
16. Why was there tension in Europe prior to
1914?
If you could summarise the tension in two or three main causes – what
would they be?
Use the two or three overall causes of tension you identified to answer the
question.
You could start:
One major cause of tension in Europe prior to 1914 was….
For example…
Which meant that….
17. What is the
perspective
of the
cartoonist on
the state of
Europe in
1914?
German painting from 1914. The title is: ‘Europe
Brawling’
18. Further reading
https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/28585905
A really good, easy to read summary – what caused the war?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5YREY33W24
The causes of the war explained in a 2 minute video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHSQAEam2yc
Causes of the war – 6 minute video – funny! (but accurate)
